(Image: Pic supplied)
A major £700,000 nursery redevelopment has been completed in North Yorkshire.
Jigsaws Childcare Nursery, based in Church Fenton, secured a new lease agreement with legal support from York law firm Hethertons Solicitors, allowing it to increase its capacity from 51 to nearly 80 children and invest in long-term growth.
Helen Smith, business manager at Jigsaws Childcare Nursery, said: "Hethertons’ involvement has been instrumental in enabling Jigsaws to move forward with confidence, laying the groundwork for a development that will bring lasting benefits to families across Church Fenton and the surrounding area.
"The supportive and helpful team at Hethertons made the complex process straightforward and seamless.
"They recognised that the pre-existing standard agreement that we had in place didn’t fit our needs.
"They guided us through the process, working closely with North Yorkshire County Council to come up with an appropriate solution."
Jigsaws Childcare Nursery was established in 2007 as an inclusive, not-for-profit organisation offering nursery care, before and after school clubs, and support for children with special educational needs.
The redevelopment replaces the original pre-fabricated portable building with a two-storey, energy-efficient facility, developed in collaboration with Henszel Designs and modular building manufacturer Phoenix Building Systems.
Hethertons played a key role in securing the future of the nursery by formalising its legal status and addressing land ownership matters.
The firm registered a 21-year lease agreement and associated deeds with HM Land Registry, offering Jigsaws long-term security as it expands its services.
It also completed the licence for works required for construction and advised the nursery on its agreement with Phoenix Building Systems, reviewing terms to ensure commercial viability and legal protection.
The legal team at Hethertons was led by Neal MacDonald, assistant property solicitor, and Jessica Roberts, head of corporate.
Mr MacDonald said: "This project demonstrates the value of having the right legal foundations in place to support an organisation's long-term ambitions.
"By securing a new 21-year lease and completing the associated licence for works, we've been able to provide Jigsaws with the certainty it needs to invest confidently in its future.
"It’s rewarding to have helped a well-established local organisation take the next step in its development."
The new nursery building was constructed off-site as 14 modular pods and craned into position over three days in early August.
The structure will be rented over an eight-year period, giving the nursery flexibility to adapt or relocate if needed in the future.